The Indianapolis journal. [volume] (Indianapolis [Ind.]) 1867-1904, 1887-08-21
READING FOR THE DAY.
sudaxsehool lesson for Aug. rs, 1887

PIETY WITHOUT DIsPLAT.-Matt., VI. l-l5
Golden Text-Man looketh the outward appear
ence. but the Lord looketh on the heart.-I Sam,
cHRIsTs PREACHING.
This sermon is intensely practical. He reach
rs the sins aud needs of that time and people.
But in reaching these he reaches the ruling and
besetting sins of every age and people. The
Sermon on the Mount teaches the ethical system.
the practical morals Of Christianity for all time
He does not give his grand doctrine of Christian
liberty until he hos laid its basis in a definite
and comprehensive scheme of daily duties, and
IN underlying system of moral obligation to
both God and man. There follows after the last
lesson practical discussion of adultery. divorce.
profanity. retaliation. and love for others. The
law is 80 clear that there is no real room for any
doubt to his meaning any laxity in our
obedience. In this lesson we have Christs idea
to giving and praying, and the law of the
kingdom concerning them.
i. False and True Giving ", 1-4-Alarm bells
are not rung when there is no danger-real or
supposed Warnings imply peril. When the
Waterman cries out, Take heed" it Is the part
OF wisdom to DO on guard. The temptation to
sef-display is universal Present applause IS
more eagerly sought than future reward: Inc
praise of men is a sweet fattery TO pride; out
when consciously sought it is fatal to true right
eousness. To court mans favor IS to forfeit di-
vine reward. "Therefore"-H you value your
Fathers approval-when doing good make no
undue display about 1t, as DO the hypocrtes
''They have received their reward" in full here;
they may look for hereafter Trumpted
aims ma ke no music IN heaven. God never Tap
proyingly) sees such self-dispay. True aims
giving never parades. The left hand does not
take even the right into confidential partnership
in good works. The Christian giver can trust
God and the angels with his record; and his rec
ompense is cure; his Father will not overlook or
forget the reward; Heb vi, 10. That reward
Ill rNfx-N
word should here be dropped from the text an
gels will SEQ and approve the coronation OF good
works by our heavenly Father.
H. True and False Prayer. ", 5-l5.-lf the
hypocrites are not safe guides In almsgiving, no
more are they in prayer. "They love to stand
and pray in the synagogues. and in the corners
Df the Streets" The attitude is not reprehensl-
BILE; it was the common posture in prayer In
early times II Sam, j. 26 but here the ostenta-
ton is the Objectionable feature These people
'put themselves in position" as did the Pharisee
in the temple luke, xviii, III;
they posed for effect; they aimed TO
attract attention by their exces-
sive devotion. They probably succeeded. 'They
have received their reward" They prayed w TO
win mems commentator for piety; from men
they have their recompense. But ye, when ye
pray" do differently both as to place and man
ner. Seek your closet seek God. Those who
would win human applause naturally seek the
cons picuous place for their devotions; but those
who would commune with God must shut out
many Babel noises from the world. God never
shouts the secrets of His love and grace from
the hiltops; He whispers them to trusting souls
in the quiet hour of secret communion with
Him. Their recompense is sure; God is their
portion and their exceeding great reward"